by Jewel Pickert

[email protected]

Every 20 to 25 years, Parks & Recreation tries to replace the playground equipment in a designated park, according to Chris Jenkins, the Parks & Rec Director.

Their website states the “city has 37 parks within 400 acres of open space.”

When they replace the playground equipment, they also look at what needs to be renovated in that park to make it last for the next 25 years.

The planning process is quite extensive. Chris said they worked with ISG, an engineering and architectural design firm, and the Lake Isabel Master Plan.

The entire process revolves around three elements: community consensus, direction, and flexibility.

For the community consensus piece, Parks & Rec had an Open House at Lake Rebecca, an online engagement tool for the public on the city’s Parks & Rec web page, and a meeting with the East Side Homeowners’ Association to review the Lake Isabel Park plans.

ISG provided the direction. They presented three concepts for the renovated park that can be found on the Parks & Rec web page. There is even an option to mix things up. In other words, if someone wants some feature(s) of one plan put into another, they can note that.

The flexibility part is about making sure the plan remains somewhat fluid to accommodate any changes that may surface during the next 25 years.

On 8/19/20, Chris said they took the draft-preferred concept to the Parks & Rec Commission.

Per the website, the master plan package, consisting of the final concept form and cost estimates will be finalized.

Then, in October, the final master plan for Lake Isabel Park will be delivered to a City Council meeting.

Lake Isabel Park isn’t the only area that will see changes.

On 8/17/20, the City Council awarded a contract for a 2020 trail improvement project bike trail along the General Sieben trail between 15th Street and Highway 55. This project is 100% funded by the city.

Another part of the 2020 trail improvement project includes the Riverfront Trail along the Mississippi trail between the Lock & Dam and Lock & Dam Road and again, on the east side of the boat launch through the Confluence area.

This is a county project. The city will be reimbursed for any costs incurred.

Chris and other staff have observed heavy usage of the trails at all hours of the day, which is great! Perhaps the COVID restrictions have encouraged people to enjoy the city’s outdoor amenities more.

Chris said they are also working on a people-movement plan, which is a grant-funded study with Dakota County.

This plan should be wrapped up by the end of the year. It is comprised of a steering committee and a consultant.

They have “evaluated the trail and pedestrian (sidewalk) system to identify gaps and connections, to the community is more walkable and so that alternative commuters have greater access.”

The plan will be used whenever future projects are being addressed. It will be incorporated when it’s feasible to do so. Chris believes that a great park system is all about meeting the community’s needs.

Lake Isabel Park